Consensus: Driving excitement isn’t a strong suit, but the RAV4 continues to be tops in terms of quality and comfort

The Outback made its debut as a variation of the Legacy wagon, and quickly achieved an identity—and following—of its own. When Subaru discontinued the Legacy wagon in 2010, the Outback kept rolling, and has been the company’s U.S. bestseller in 15 of the last 22 years, including 2017. Although 8.7 inches of static ground clearance make the Outback handier than many crossover SUVs, it continues to be true to its wagon roots. As such, it straddles the frontier between compact and midsize CUVs, giving it a distinctive aesthetic to go with its all-around usefulness. There’s no category ambiguity about the RAV4, the compact crossover that established the compact crossover category in 1994, and a category it continues to dominate today. How dominant? In 2017, the RAV4 was the fourth bestselling vehicle in U.S., trailing only the full-size pickup trucks from Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram. The appeal of this segment leader continues to be the same—a bulletproof record of reliability, painstaking assembly, and a hybrid system that’s inspired many imitators since its 1997 introduction.

Subaru Outback Advantages

Station wagon style in a world of boxy crossovers, capable when the pavement ends

Both vehicles are based on front-drive passenger car architecture, both offer all-wheel drive

Final Recommendation

The RAV4 is typically Toyota in terms of quality, refinement, and reliability. There are competing vehicles that offer more performance, it continues to be the class gold standard. Roomy and capable on road or off, the Outback marches to its own beat, with a persona that’s unique in this class.